Connecting Farnham - Issue One

For the past 18months, we have been seeking God’s leading in how best to continue to support people in Farnham following their call or vocation. The past few months have seen many encouraging developments in the transition of some projects from the FCCT framework into a new and much more flexible way of working.

 

You will be aware that as the result of the long and careful review of the youth work, we have transitioned away from employing full-time youth workers to supporting teams of individuals wanting to carry out specific projects across the whole area of youth work in Farnham.

This has led to a number of very positive developments details of which are set out elsewhere in this newsletter but we feel that there have been significant advantages from this new approach.

Some of these include:-

1.    A much greater sense of ownership by the churches in Farnham of the Schools' Work and Youth Work that can and is being done.

2.    A broader sense of ownership amongst teams for each of the projects and initiative as they are small enough for people to sense that they are an integral part of what is happening.

3.    To our surprise all of the existing projects that we were involved in are continuing in one shape or form.

 

 

Again you will see from elsewhere in the newsletter that as a result of prayer and consultation, it has been agreed that ASSIST would really benefit from "growing into independence" and becoming its own charity.  FCCT’s desire is to remain small and servant hearted and part of that is, like with your children, allowing them to grow up and move into a healthy independence and inter-dependence. We are delighted that this is going so smoothly with the wonderful work of ASSIST.

 

One of the things that we have been keen to do is to broaden the number of projects that we support and also to make it easier for new initiatives to start.  As a result of our learning in other areas of the country, we are in the process of separating out the funding of projects from the administration, support and legal structure

This means that we have set up a new grant making body called Catalyst, which is part of a national charity, which will be providing grants of up to £5,000 to projects in and around Farnham whilst allowing FCCT to offer its services for office,

administration, legal framework, mentoring and training.  This means that we can concentrate the work of FCCT on being a service body.

 

One of the things that we are offering to the Christian community in general, including churches, is services like photocopying, office space, etc and it is encouraging to see a number of churches and organisations taking advantage of this opportunity.

“Small is Beautiful” - We hope that this model will encourage more Christians to step forward with events or projects which they’d like to organise. They could be ‘one-off’ or longer term.   

 

Cohesion is an exciting town-wide inter-church schools work initiative amongst the secondary schools in and around Farnham. The purpose of the Cohesion schools work is to provide appropriate and complementary resources to schools for the spiritual and moral education of students and give them the opportunity to hear about the Christian faith in a relevant way.

 

Cohesion is an inter-church project that seeks to use the rich resources of experience, knowledge, gifting and skill of volunteers and youth leaders and connect them to the secondary schools in and around the town, who are keen to engage with the Christian community. Cohesion also becomes an important part of a ‘cohesive’ youth work across the town, facilitating all young people to engage with Christianity.

 

Overseeing this project is a Council of Reference made up of many of the church leaders in Farnham. This has been one of the most exciting developments of the project, to see the almost unilateral agreement for the work Cohesion is undertaking. Reporting to this Council is a Steering Committee of church leaders, teachers and youth leaders who are setting direction and purpose for this collaborative work. Steve Delves, former Senior Youth Worker with the FCCT youth team, is providing some activation energy, co-ordination and leadership on the ground to get the project up and running.

 

Cohesion is an exciting unified inter-church initiative providing practical engagement between the Christian community and the secondary schools in Farnham.

 

Steve Delves

I have been running parenting courses for over 10 years, having attended a course myself in Guildford. I found it really helpful and so decided to pick up the legacy of previous parenting group leaders and run courses in the Farnham area.

 

We have been using the Family Links Nurturing Programme with good effect for over 5 years now. The course handbook The Parenting Puzzle is a highly readable resource which enhances the accessibility of the material. The 10 week course encourages parents and carers to enjoy bringing up children and get the best out of family life. It offers positive, practical ways of guiding children so they learn to handle both their feelings and their behaviour. The course is informal, fun and a great confidence booster. The course is based on 4 building blocks namely empathy, self-awareness and self-esteem, appropriate expectations and positive discipline. Each session lasts 2 hours and involves discussion, thought provoking exercises and lots of laughter. Currently the courses are run in the Children's centre and schools. Next term we are planning to run a course specific for parents of teenagers.

 

We have also reinstated a coffee morning for parents of children with special needs which is now being held monthly at Potters Gate Surestart Childrens Centre. For next year’s programme we have arranged for a number of different speakers to meet parents.

 

Bridget Berry

To all parents, grandparents, aunts or uncles or friends!   Do you have children at school?

For many years now groups have been meeting to pray for the schools in Farnham, for the children, the teachers and other assistants (including the kitchen staff). We believe it is really important that those who work with our children and the children themselves are covered in prayer.   A few schools now have groups who pray regularly whether it is once a week, a month, or once or twice a term.  

We should really love to see that every school in Farnham has a group who pray regularly. We do not have to know the fine details in any school, because God knows all that much better than we do, but Jesus did say that we “should always pray and not give up” Luke 18: 1.

If you would like to join such a group, we are organising a meeting for anyone interested on 20^th January 2010 at Weydon Christian Centre, Upper Way from 7.30 - 9.00 pm.  

Do please come !

 

 Juliet Greene

Gems is a youth group for girls aged 11-17 which meets once a month in the Holy Family Church, Hale, North Farnham. Gems is a place where girls can come and relax. We offer them a craft activity every month. There is pamper corner where the girls can have their nails done, have a foot spa or their hair straightened. There are several games consoles for them to play on. We have a tuck shop which serves healthy snacks as well as normal snacks. The whole area is set up in a cafe style environment.

 

Our aim is to work with girls in mind, body and spirit. We want to help girls realise their potential, worth and value. We hope to do this is by providing a safe place where girls can learn more about themselves and others and a supportive environment where they can be encouraged, receive advice, have fun and develop as young women.

 

It is currently run by a core group (Michele Beach, Amber Delves, Geg Jamison, Sophie Fiztgerald), and a wider group of helpers. Our aim at Gems is to help foster respect and encouragement between the girls. During the nights we a have a slot where we spend five minutes taking about one of the Gems values and how it relates to God and how they can use it to help each other.

 

The next big event is Ice Skating in Winchester. We did this last year and the girls really enjoyed. This is a great opportunity to get along side the girls and talk to them.

 

Sofie Fitzgerald, Michelle Beach, Amber Delves, Geraldine Jamison

 

This new year 2010 for FAST will be a year of consolidation. We need to review all we do, and make sure we are doing what God wants us to do. We are evaluating each lesson and assembly to ensure they meet both school requirements and our Christian values. We are also organising our resources into a way in which they could be borrowed by other assembly teams or school staff.

 

FAST are continuing their busy Christmas schedule taking the birth of Jesus and His significance to every class in 14 local primary schools. We are already having much fun discussing the Christmas story and explaining that we believe Jesus is the Light of the World, and helping the children to make beautiful crafts to take home.

 

These are our wonderful team of volunteers who give such time and love and support to the work in schools. From preparing resources to helping in classrooms and acting in Camel assemblies, we would not be able to have the time or energy to do all that FAST is able and willing to do when responding to the demand from schools.

 

We are starting open prayer meetings for our primary schools work twice a month to which all are invited to come. These are held in the FCCT office starting at 10am and it is a general open prayer time of seeking God’s heart for the school children and our work with them. The next ones will be Monday 11^th January and Monday 25^th January. They last about half an hour. Do come….

 

Well, actually three enthusiastic schools’ workers………. We would just like to thank Carol for being such an instrumental part of our FAST team for the last two years. We know she is thrilled at being given the opportunity to work at the Maryvale Institute and serve God in a place that has been on her heart for many years. She knows that now is the time for her. We pray that she will find much fulfilment and joy in her new role.

 

Yesterday in a reception class, we were building together a nativity set. We asked the children who was in the stable. “Jesus” “Mary” “shepherds”  etc

 

Then came an enthusiastic response of “God!” Yes absolutely!!! God in the stable in all manner of ways – the fulfilment of prophecy, Christ’s birth, angel messengers, humble shepherds, worship from the Wise, obedience of Joseph and openness of heart from Mary. Immanuel indeed – God with us.

 

With our love and prayers.

 

I’m now in my 8^th year! I can hardly believe it! Up until last year I was still working for the Trust but in September 2008 I went full time at St James’. This was mainly to follow my passion of helping young people in a more rural setting find and engage with God. I feel I have the best of both worlds though now, because I am doing the job I fully feel called to be doing whilst being part of the wider Christian FCCT team. Youth work can ironically, be very lonely and so I love to pop into the FCCT office whether it be to find out what else is happening in other areas of the Christian community in Farnham or to check endless emails!

 

At Rowledge I am responsible for the young people in Yr 7 and upwards (Secondary School) who attend the church or who may come to just one-off events. There are many different activities the young people can be part of from being a in a band, going on socials, being discipled in their faith to running events and residentials/trips. I am a great believer of helping the young people enagage with the whole church at St James’ so in the last year we have looked in depth at this and on a monthly basis the young people take part in the main morning service playing instruments alongside the organ, taking on the door stewarding and welcoming and giving a presentation to the congregation about a different aspect of youth life within the church. The young people also have their own Sunday evening slot (on the 4^th Sun/month) to run their CELL service or a full-blown YOUTH PRAISE with FISH band and dance, drama and prayers etc, all organized and led by the young people. It is amazing to see young people grow in their faith and feel empowered to take on responsibilities themselves. Benny Palmer was commissioned at St James’ on Sunday 29^th Nov as a voluntary assistant youth worker for 5 months in his gap year. It is wonderful to see him take on projects such as ‘Soul in the Village’ (meeting practical needs in the community), helping other peers fulfill community needs.

 

Other aspects of my job include running OCTAVE children’s choir; MAGNETS, a monthly fun-club; Holiday activities, sleepovers and trips; Pastorals (lots of coffee and chats!); Attending Rowledge School every Tuesday, running clubs, RE lessons and helping on all residentials; Uniform groups including Brownies every week; Little-Fishes Nursery where I go in to do music; Diocesan events and training; plus a whole lot more!!

 

My job is really ‘colourful’, creative and gives me great opportunity to engage with the whole community and meet people where they are at. I really would value your prayers and support as I continue to work with the young people in Rowledge.

 

The Farnham Local Food Initiative is gearing up for the new growing season in 2010. Based on donated land in Runfold, this not-for-profit community scheme brings together volunteers to grow fresh produce for local people. Farnham Food is open to local volunteers of all backgrounds and all skill levels, offering a variety of ways in which people can become involved - working the land, picking vegetables, preparing the vegetable shares for distribution, fund raising, administration, learning new skills, helping to host school groups and open days.  The more we grow, the more we can offer – from work-share arrangements for volunteers meaning they get vegetables in return for their help, to a subsidised share scheme, to charitable donations, to community development and learning opportunities. The experience of coming together to dig, plant, weed, hoe and harvest, according to each volunteer's available time and ability, has created a real sense of community spirit and co-operation. 

 

We offer a weekly vegetable share scheme from June to December, based on what’s in season – a typical share this year has included runner beans, carrots, courgettes, garlic, potatoes, lettuce, beetroot and onions. For 2010, a two-person share will be £11 a week, and a family share £14. If you want to show your support, annual memberships are available at £24, and you will receive our regular newsletters and recipes.  Any offers of volunteer time, use of land or tools are much appreciated.  For more information, please see www.farnhamfood.com or call Sarah on 0844 415 2620.

 

Best regards

 

Farnham ASSIST was born out of the concerns of a number of people who felt that there should be a focus on older folk. With the formation of the Farnham Christian Community Trust, the initial focus was on young people in the town. However, a number of people decided to identify what was currently being done for the elderly by the churches in the town. Bridget Berry visited local churches and care / residential homes and the results of her survey were pulled together by Rev Stuart Petty and published in a report entitled “The Over 60s – a generation to care for”.  

 

In the Spring of 2002, the first event was held - a Praise & Worship service in the Brightwells Gostrey Day Centre. Further contact was made with two residential homes – Hillbrow and Tilford Park - and Praise & Worship services commenced shortly afterwards in both places and they still continue there today. A special large print hymn book was produced, containing many well known traditional hymns for use at all the services. ASSIST has also taken over the coordination of the Praise & Worship   services in two further Care Homes – Wey Valley and Hatch Mill.

One to One – our befriending service was introduced for the house bound living on their own and continues today with growing numbers. The needs of men living on their own were also a major concern and in January 2003, the Pie & Pint Club was started, meeting for a pub lunch in the Crown at Badshot Lea once a month. Further venues were added later that year at the Cherry Tree, Rowledge and the Royal Arms, Heath End. 

 

One of the items coming out of the original survey was a need for lunches at the weekends in certain areas of Farnham. As a result, Sunday lunches started at the United Reformed Church in May 2003, followed five months later by the launch of Saturday lunches at the newly opened Bethel Baptist Church at Upper Hale.One of the highlights of ASSIST is the Annual Carol Service, which was held for the first time in December 2003 and has continued in different churches every year since that time. This year, despite the bad weather, we had over 200 people attending.

 

Several older folk in the town had expressed a desire to understand how to use a computer and, following a successful pilot scheme working with the Farnham Methodist Church, Understanding Computers was formally started in January 2007, taking place every Wednesday morning at the Church. Due to its popularity, this has now been extended to Wednesday afternoon as well. 

 

During 2008 ASSIST surveyed over 100 of our clients; 70% responded, with the results showing a real hunger for spiritual matters. Plans for Bible Studies were put in place and these continue on a regular basis. Later in 2008, a monthly prayer meeting for the work with the elderly in Farnham was started to give thanks for God's hand in so many areas of our work and to seek His will for the future. As a result of much prayer, it was felt that God was calling us to make a greater impact in the town. Our newly agreed Mission was “to be there for older people living in Farnham, meeting them where they are and showing God’s love through our work”. We knew that, if we are to make that kind of impact in Farnham, then ASSIST needed to have a physical presence in the town - a place where clients, old and new, can pop in and feel cared for. 

 

As always, God was so faithful and, at the start of 2009, the lease for the Centre in Borelli Yard was signed. Planning permission was sought and granted and the Centre was opened by our local MP and the Town Mayor in June. These wonderful facilities give us the challenge and the opportunity to meet with many more elderly folk in the town and to spend time with them. Age Concern Waverley and Citizens Advice also use the premises on a regular basis, so that it is a real “One Stop Shop” for older folk. In June we launched the first of a twice yearly news letter for our clients.

 

On October 1st we held our first ‘Songs of Praise Service’ celebrating The International Day of Older Persons. Following on from the great success of this there is now a monthly ‘Silver Service’ at the Methodist Church. 

 

In the first few months of 2010, ASSIST is stepping out into a new era of independence from FCCT, with the full support of the parent organisation, as we seek God’s will for the future. Our numbers of volunteers is now approaching 150 and more new events are planned to start over the next 12 months for our clients.

  

If you’d like to find out more or to volunteer, call 01252 717710, email assist@farnhamassist.org.uk or visit Farnham ASSIST at No 12 Borelli Yard, Farnham GU9 7NU.

Is a local independent grant making organisation which is part of a national charity.

 

We welcome applications from teams that consist of people from more than one congregation, who are looking for funding for a particular project .

 

The teams would need to have their own core group or management team . Our focus is on enabling those who are called, so we will make it as painless as possible! If you have an informed idea and need help to set up a project, please contact us.

 

For more information, please contact Heather on 01252 714414 or email office@fcct.org.uk